1978
MINUTES
City of La Habra Heights
Regular Meeting of the La Habra Heights City Council
July 13, 2026
Closed Session Opening Ceremonies
Call Meeting to Order - At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Bergman called the Regular City Council Meeting to order.
2. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Brian Bergman, Mayor Pro Tempore Greg Steffire, and Council Members Carol Engelhardt, John Pespisa and Norm Zezula
Absent: N/A
Also Present: City Manager Rafferty Wooldridge, City Attorney Todd Litfin, and Administrative Assistant Christina Aguilar
3. Public Comment on Closed Session
4. Adjourned to Closed Session
At 5:34 p.m., the City Council, City Manager, adjourned to Closed Session to discuss the following:
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Gov. Code § 54956.8-Terms and Conditions
Agency Negotiators: Todd Litfin, City Attorney
Negotiating Parties: Los Angeles County
Property: 8267-017-907
8267-018-904,906,907,908,910
8267-019-900,901,902
At 6:32 p.m. Closed Session ended.
1 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 13, 2026
APPROVED AS SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 10, 2026
Regular Business at 6:30 P.M.
Call Meeting to Order - At 6:41 p.m., Mayor Brian Bergman called the Regular City Council Meeting to order.
2. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Brian Bergman, Mayor Pro Tempore Greg Steffire, Council Members Carol Engelhardt, John Pespisa and Norm Zezula
Also Present: City Manager Rafferty Wooldridge, City Attorney Todd Litfin, Assistant City Manager Angie Martinez, Fire Chief Edward Martin, Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Giovanni Sera, and Administrative Assistant Christina Aguilar
3. Flag Salute
Presentations, Commendations and Proclamations
Public Comments
Committee Comments
City Council Comments
Administrative Reports
City Manager's Report
City Attorney's Report
Community Development Report
Fire Chief's Report
Sheriff's Department Report
Consent Calendar
Action: Moved (Stefflre), seconded (Pespisa), and voted (5-0) to approve consent items 9, 10, 11, and 12
Waive Reading in Full of all Ordinances, Resolutions, and Meeting Minutes on the Agenda
10. Approval of Treasurer's Report for June 2026
11. Minutes: June 08, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting
12. Project update and deadlines
2 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 13, 2026
APPROVED AS SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 10, 2026
- End of Consent Calendar --
Public Hearing
13. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-02 Amending Chapter 7.5 of the La Habra Heights Municipal Code Regarding Nonconforming Lots Related to Standards Modifications for Lots Created for Water Tank Sites or other Nonresidential Purposes, and Chapter 7.11, Chapter 7.18, and Chapter 7.19 Related to Development Standards for Fencing and Determining the ordinance to be Exempt from CEQA
Ordinance No. 2026-02: an ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Habra Heights, California, amending Chapter 7.5 of the La Habra Heights municipal code regarding nonconforming lots related to the standards modifications for lots created for water tanks sites or other nonresidential purposes, and Chapter 7.11, Chapter 7.18, and Chapter 7.19 related to development standards for fencing At 6:59 p.m. Mayor Bergman opened Public Hearing.
At 6:59 p.m. Mayor Bergman closed Public Hearing.
Action: Moved (Pespisa), seconded (Stefflre), and voted (4-1) (opposed Zezula) Introduce Ordinance No. 2026-02, an Ordinance of the City Council of La Habra Heights, California, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the La Habra Heights Municipal Code Regarding Nonconforming Lots related to the Standards Modifications for Lots Created for Water Tank Sites or Other Nonresidential Purposes, and Chapter7.11, Chapter 7.18, and Chapter 7.19 Related to Development Standards for Fencing and schedule a second reading and adoption for the August 10, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
14. Assessment of Delinquent Sewer Service fees
Resolution No. 2026-17: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of La Habra Heights approving and confirming the report of delinquent sewer service fees and requesting Los Angeles County to place such charges on the fiscal year 2026-27 tax roll
At 7:06 p.m. Mayor Bergman opened Public Hearing.
At 7:09 p.m. Mayor Bergman closed Public Hearing.
Action: Moved (Steffire), seconded (Engelhardt), and voted (5-0) to adopt Resolution No. 2026-17 confirming the report of delinquent sewer service fees to become a lien against the property as of July 13, 2026.
- End of Public Hearing Items -___....
3 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 13, 2026
APPROVED AS SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 10, 2026
Administrative Items
15. Los Angeles Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program cooperation agreement
Resolution No. 2026-18: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of La Habra Heights, California, approving participation in the Los Angeles Urban County Urban County Program by authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to sign a cooperation agreement with the county of Los Angeles
Action: Moved (Steffire), seconded (Engelhardt), and voted (5-0) to adopt Resolution No. 2026-18 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the CDBG Program participating City Cooperation Agreement with the County Los Angeles.
16. Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) appointment of Jim Pon
Action: Moved (Steffle) seconded (Zezula), and voted (5-0) to the vacant La Habra Heights representative position on the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC)
17. Disposition of 2001 Ford F-350, 2010 Chevrolet Silverado and 2017 Ford Explorer
Action: Moved (Pespisa), seconded (Steffire), and voted (5-0) to authorize the City Manager to declare the 2001 Ford F-350 Brush Patrol vehicle, the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid, and the 2017 Ford Explorer Fire Marshal vehicle as surplus property and authorize their disposition through General Auction Company and Shop Garage in accordance with the City's Purchasing Policy and any revenue be deposited into the Fire Fund Account 260-710FIR-4820.
18. Proposed purchase of property along Harbor Boulevard described as APN 8267-017-907, 8267-018-900, 904, -906, -907, -910, 8267-019-900, -901, -902 from the County of Los Angeles
Resolution No. 2026-19: A resolution of the City Council of The City Of La Habra Heights, California, authorizing the purchase of certain real property from the County Of Los Angeles, authorizing the city manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the transaction, accepting the property on behalf of the city.
At 7:35 p.m. Council Member Pespisa left the dias
4 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 13, 2026
APPROVED AS SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 10, 2026
At 7:39 p.m. Council Member Pespisa returned to the dias.
At 8:06 p.m. Mayor Bergman opened Public Hearing.
At 8:10 p.m. Mayor Bergman closed Public Hearing.
Action: Moved (Pespisa), seconded (Steffire), and voted (5-0) to adopt the Resolution No. 2026-19 authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to execute all documents necessary to complete the purchase of the County-owned properties along Harbor Boulevard (APN 8267-017-907, 8267-018-900, -904, -906, -907, -910, 8267-019-900, - 901 and -902), subject to approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and authorize an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget by appropriating $2, 100,000, plus associated escrow and closing costs, to Account No. 101-150GSD-6881 for the acquisition of the Harbor Boulevard properties with the condition stated from Council Member Pespisa to bring back to Council if there is any changes.
19. Overview of Procedures For Calling Regular And Special City Council Meetings
Action: Reviewed and discussed.
- End of Administrative Items -....
20. Individual Council Member information items and/or required Meeting Attendance Reports
Action: No action taken.
21. Public Comments on Items not on the Agenda (One Minute) Adjourn Meeting - At 8:22 p.m., Mayor Bergman adjourned the meeting.
Submitted for Counci Approval:
Chatea
Christina Aguilar, Admihistrative Assistant
5 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 13, 2026
APPROVED AS SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 10, 2026